Niger Republic’s military junta has sent more troops to its border with Benin Republic a day after announcing the suspension of military cooperation between both countries. The junta claims that the Beninois government is harbouring mercenaries and has allowed a French warship to dock in their waters, aiding what it described as France’s desperate attempt to attack Niger with the help of some ECOWAS member states.
The country is mobilising more of its soldiers to their border with Benin in what appears to be preparations for a possible military invasion along that front.
It has been reported that the French have started retreating from Niger, but these reports have not been confirmed as France still insists that it does not recognise the military junta as the legitimate government in the country.
Benin, Côte d’Ivoire and Senegal remain main advocates of the military intervention by ECOWAS but many believe that the governments of these countries are under pressures from France to push for the military option rather than dialogue.
